Now that we're getting into the second half of August, it's the the time of year when we really start to monitor the far eastern Atlantic for budding tropical waves that could potentially develop into tropical storms or hurricanes.

Now that we're getting into the second half of August, it's the the time of year when we really start to monitor the far eastern Atlantic for budding tropical waves that could potentially develop into tropical storms or hurricanes.

Say goodbye to free parking downtown. City leaders are directing staff to get rid of zip zones and install state-of-the-art parking meters.

"Parking has always been a problem," Jim Gott, a barber downtown said. "But when you have a downtown area, there are so many people. They all drive cars, and where do you put them all?"

When asked what the city should do, Gott said "That's a good question. Stack them on top of each other maybe. I don't know."

According to city officials, people need to just realize how parking in the city works. While it may seem chaotic at times, there is a method to the madness. Long term parking is meant for lots and garages. Short term parking is meant to park along the street.

On Wednesday, Community Redevelopment officials addressed the CRA commission (made up of city council members) and explained the problem with zip zones. Simply put, they don't work and people get confused.

"We're making a city and regulated parking is a part of any city in America," councilman Mike Flanders said.

Flanders explained time limits and metered parking helps to keep cars flowing through downtown streets. While there is a time limit on zip zones, many people visiting don't realize the two hour time limit applies to all the zip zones for the entire day.

"Free parking doesn't work, because people take advantage of it and will park there all day," Flanders said.

Not everyone agrees.

"No fee, that's great, we'll walk away with a better feel not having to feed a meter," Bob Menz, who is visiting from Ohio said.

The executive director of the Community Redevelopment Agency said the city won't have the new meters installed for at least a few months. He tells us they will be state-of-the-art with credit card readers and cell phone capabilities. The city also plans to update all of the old coin meters at some point as well.